‘Wildwood’ Teaser: Laika Returns to Stop-Motion with a Dark Fantasy Adventure

The film, based on the children's novel by The Decemberist frontman Colin Meloy, hits theaters October 23.

It’s been seven long, long years since the great stop-motion studio Laika released a movie, when it dropped the cute and charming Sasquatch comedy “Missing Link” in 2019. Now, after years of development, the studio’s sixth feature is scheduled for this year, and it looks to be its most visually accomplished work yet. Laika debuted the first teaser trailer for “Wildwood” on May 13, giving fans a first glimpse into the dark fantasy adventure.

Directed by Laika CEO Travis Knight — who previously helmed the studio’s Oscar-nominated “Kubo and the Two Strings” in 2016 — “Wildwood” is based on a 2011 children’s fantasy novel by Colin Meloy, who is also known as the frontman of the indie band The Decemberists; his wife, Carson Ellis, illustrated the 500+ page book. The novel was adapted by “ParaNorman” and “Missing Link” director Chris Butler, who penned the film‘s script. This is notably the second film Knight and Butler are collaborating on this year, as the duo also directed and wrote the upcoming “Masters of the Universe” live-action film set for this June.

The logline for “Wildwood” reads: “After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, headstrong teenager Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) launches a desperate rescue mission into the Impassable Wilderness—an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon. Joined by her hapless but loyal classmate Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay), Prue navigates a world of talking animals, bandits, and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition. As the pair is drawn into a conflict threatening the balance of the forest itself, Prue must discover the strength and belief she never knew she possessed. If she hopes to save her brother and protect Wildwood’s fragile future, she will have to risk everything.”

Aside from Lee and Tremblay, “Wildwood” features a large ensemble voice cast of big name actors. Also starring in the film is Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, Angela Bassett, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Waits, Charlie Day, Blythe Danner, Arthur Knight, Maya Erskine, Jake Johnson, Tantoo Cardinal, Rob Delaney, Jemaine Clement, Marc Evan Jackson, Len Cariou, and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson.

“Wildwood” is scheduled to release in theaters nationwide October 23. Notably, the film will be distributed by Fathom Entertainment in one of the company’s first non-limited-engagement or event releases. Watch the full teaser trailer for the film below.